Daddypops--Kick back in the barber chair like it's 1950

We have hit a part in the Triple D road trip where things have turned much more intentional, more planned out trips, more visits to cities specifically for Triple D, because once I moved out of Pittsburgh at the end of last summer and went back to school, we needed to start planning a bit more carefully. So round about November, we were starting to really hit Triple D withdrawal and decided to plan a day around the side of Pennsylvania we had yet to explore for Triple D--Philly. So we ordered some Sixers tickets, because really we felt like we needed more to do than just eat after driving all the way there, and we decided out of the three stops in Philly, which two we were going to head to for the day. What's kind of cool about Triple D Philadelphia style is that all three restaurants are variations on old silver car diners, so you get to really see how different restaurants treat the heritage they've inherited by buying a silver car diner.

We headed out from the Harrisburg area early, with the intention of wandering to the Philly suburb of Hatboro for some good ole Mom and Pop breakfast. Hatboro is a tiny hamlet north of the city that has a really strong, small town feel, even though you aren't that far from Center City. Serving as a centerpiece to that small town feel is the local diner: Daddypops. It's a Hatboro staple, serving up simple, just what you would expect from a silver car diner fare. Now I'll admit that we had a bit of trouble finding it, even though it's on the main drag of town, so if you're wandering out that way and think you've gone too far, keep driving, and eventually you'll reach the corner home of this quaint little diner. The outside makes you think that you've stepped back into the 1950's with it's big, wrought-iron clock, and a cute little well with Daddypops emblazoned across the top. The owners of Daddypops are silver car owners who have decided not to mess with the classics. They've fully renovated it to look like it did in it it's hay day. It's gleaming silver with green accents, and it is the type of place that is giving a new generation the hometown experience their parents had growing up. The inside makes you feel like you've stepped into your mom's kitchen and that everyone there loves you and wants you to sit down and have a good meal. They only have 7 or 8 booths inside and then seating at the counter so you might have a bit of a wait, especially if you're there at prime breakfast time like we were, but we were still seated quickly. While you wait though take advantage of soaking up the ambiance. While Daddypops is traditional, it definately has it's own little quirks that give it it's own special flair--from the fully restored jukebox and the two 1950's barber chairs that hold down the fort at both ends of the counter to the cove behind the counter that stores all the regular's coffee cups--this place makes you feel at home. They also have a huge old fashioned phone booth in the back by the restrooms which seems very random, but again adds to the fun atmosphere of the hometown joint.

Now since Daddypops is a traditional diner, don't go in expecting a huge, crazy menu. It's simple. It's full of homemade classics. The only unfortunate part about Daddypops for the Triple D enthusiast is that--like the Central City Cafe--they were featured on the rare 4 joint episode, and were the outsider that got the tiny 3 minute slot at the end. So because of that, we don't really get to see a ton of what Guy sampled, and unless you're an adventurer and want to experience the Pennsylvania Dutch "treat" of scrapple (all the parts of the pig that are left over in the form of a patty and then slapped on the griddle), then you're pretty much on your own for ordering. For me, this isn't difficult at a breakfast joint. As we've talked about I LOVE breakfast, and say it with me...Ben HATES breakfast. Given the spirit of the place we went with classics when we ordered. Ben opted for a monterey jack omelet with home fries (which he let me eat since he doesn't like them) and I went for their pancakes. Ben liked his omelet, but again since breakfast isn't really his thing he didn't have much to say about it. Guy had also tried their home fries, and I will tell you they were pretty darn awesome. They mix in lots of butter (always a sign of good food) and some onions for an added crunch and serve them up nice and hot. They were exactly what you'd expect from a diner wanting to do things the right way. If you want something to rave about though, go with the pancakes. They come out with a light coating of powerdered sugar, and even though I was supposed to get 3 with my order and only got 2, those 2 were plenty. These weren't your run of the mill flat pancakes. They were nice and fluffy with the perfect density, so you really felt like you were getting about 4 pancakes. They had the right amount of crisp on the outside from the griddle but inside were so soft and airy that they were perfection. One of their secrets to serving a great pancake though is that they mix in the slightest hint of nutmeg to their batter so you get this nice little nutty aftertaste that really makes them over the top.

Overall, there's a lot to love about Daddypops. It's simple. It's hometown. It's classic. It's tradition. It's doing everything right. If you're one of those Triple D-ers only looking for the eclectic, the crazy, the never before experienced, then Daddypops might not be your cup of tea, but if you're around Philly and you want a taste of home, head to Hatboro and have a cup of coffee and breakfast made from the heart.

No website kids so you're on your own to discover silver car dining done right.